Spending 40 Years In Exile
Exile
Geoffrey Oryema’s unbearably sad Exile. Spending 40 years in exile inspired the Ugandan singer-songwriter to produce an extraordinarily heartfelt protest album.
In the summer of 2019…
I would take my daily evening walk through Central Park, around the same time the sun would set. I did this intentionally, I liked walking around the park as day turned into night. Sunset to nightfall in the park gives off a certain energy that few can describe. The tourists were gone and only locals remained. I would venture out into the woods, guided by just enough light to still see in the areas where public lighting could not reach. After deliberate wandering, I heard a faint, majestic sound emanating near the Loeb Boathouse that compelled my spirit and soul to get closer. I finally made my way toward the sound and could make out silhouettes of people singing and dancing. It was blissful and surreal at the same time. It felt like I was walking in slow motion.
After getting close enough to hear and see where the sound was coming from, I made sure not to draw attention to myself. It was no more than five people, singing and chanting something in another language with only a guitar and drums. None of them looked down, nor made eye contact with anyone. They looked up at the night sky and stars the entire time. Ever so subtly, a crowd had assembled but all were distant, spaced out, and seemed to be just as transfixed and in awe as I was. There were no lights from smartphones, no loud conversations, only light whispers. Everyone seemed just as transfixed as I was and no one moved. There was a businessman with a briefcase who was walking by and stopped, put his briefcase down, and just listened like the rest of us too. I went up on a small hill, sat down Indian style, and just listened. I made sure to leave before they finished singing, I wanted to exit with the same feeling as I entered. Others did the same. I did this everyday for weeks. And each time I came back, the spectators all behaved the same way. People of every race were present and none of it mattered. It was the first time in my life music touched my soul.
There was no audience, at least not to them.
Below is one of my favorite songs and is what the group of people who played in Central Park sounded like. Geoffrey Oryema has an amazing backstory and I strongly encourage anyone interested to read more about his story, his 40 years in exile, and how he turned his songs into beautiful art.
Translated, it is clear from the lyrics that Makambo is a sigh, not a shout, and a resignation that peace will remain elusive:
I've been asking for peace
But all I got was war
I've been looking for love
But I didn't find togetherness
One hears the weariness of a perplexed man who has been in exile and cut off from his motherland for 13 years:
What is wrong with the world?
What is wrong with the people?
Why don't we want peace?
Read the story behind the man and lyrics here
https://www.newframe.com/political-songs-geoffrey-oryemas-unbearably-sad-exile/